This study of the Book of Isaiah began in May, 2014. Week by week we looked at the Hebrew word origins, sketched out the events and arguments described in each chapter, and attempted to apply the passages to our own lives.
It is now July, 2015. We've arrived at Chapter 21, but there is a need to stop and look back. It's clear that this book is a collection of visions and messages given to Isaiah by God. However, it is not a chronological narrative. There are passages that foreshadowed the future, and flashbacks to previous events. There are emotional outbursts of despair, fear, joy and celebration.
This outline, "At A Glance", is that look back. More importantly, it attempts to answer three basic questions that should be asked of every passage:
This At A Glance overview of the Book of Isaiah may help us pull out the primary truths of each passage, helping us to see how each succeeding chapter adds to the majestic story of God revealed in the Holy Bible.
God lays upon Isaiah a vision of rebuke and judgement against the nation of Judah and the capital city of Jerusalem. God rebukes their sin and rejects their shallow religion. Yet in his mercy God offers a choice and promises relief and restoration.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves: Our inability to know God intimately, to distinguish God's work and purpose, causes us to rebel against God. Unseeing and unaware, we scorn God's authority over us, and we deliberately turn our hearts away, seeking happiness in iniquity and corrupt behavior. Whether our lives end in desolation or delight is left only to the mercy of God.
About God: God chooses specific people as his children, and this choice is not dependent upon their faithfulness or righteousness. God deals with his children harshly when they scorn him and turn their hearts away from him. Survival depends solely upon the mercy of God.
Our response: I should fear being ignorant or uncaring about the One Who created and sustains me. If I am not a child of God I am doomed. If I am a child of God, but I am rebellious, and filled with iniquity and corrupt behavior, I am doomed. My happiness depends entirely upon knowing God intimately and being constantly aware of his plan and purpose for me.
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Isaiah describes a vision given him by God concerning Jerusalem, capital city of the Israelite tribe of Judah. He describes the city as a mountain of justice and peace, drawing together all nations in earth. Yet Isaiah feels that God has rejected the people of Israel because of their affluent idolatry. He warns the people of God's imminent terror, bringing low the haughty and raising high the LORD.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves: We tend to worship the things we've made, the things we possess. We forget that we're created, that our fingers can make things only because God created and sustains us. We tend to fill our land with idols.
About God: God allows desolation to destroy our peace. He raises up enemies against us here on earth, to soften our idol-hardened hearts, to return us to the Father's love. God is high and lifted up, above all other peoples and idols. To those who try to ignore God, or to replace the true God with idols, God shows Himself a terror, threatening and dangerous. The LORD will reign as King over all nations, bringing justice and peace, drawing many peoples to Himself. He will bring low the haughty and exalt Himself alone above all gods and idols.
Our response: We must see desolation as a reminder of the emptiness of idolatry. We must value above all things our Creator and His love for us. Knowing God's power, holiness, justice and righteousness, and His desire to be exalted in people's eyes as Highest Almighty King, we should humble ourselves now and seek His mercy, praise His greatness, and obey His words.
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God takes away food and water. He intends to allow the government to fester with superstition, immaturity and oppression. All of this because the people have defied the LORD in word and deed. They have flaunted their sin and ignored their doom. God stands in judgement against the leaders, condemning their mistreatment of the poor, and scorning their proud affluence. All of their shallow appearances of beauty will become rottenness; their tinkling songs will fade into mournful lament.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves: We tend toward seeking support and strength from anything and anyone aside from God our Creator. We may place our confidence and obedience in oppressive, deceptive leaders. We may turn to magic and superstition, seeking power and guidance from demons, imaginary and real. We may acknowledge God as Creator, but our hearts remain bitter and rebellious, regarding Him as burdensome, severe or dull.
About God: God is able to remove from us all earthly support and supply, even our daily bread and water. He may remove a nation's leaders or destroy their political and economical support. Yet even in dealing harshly with idolatrous nations, God extends mercy and patience, sending to them people like Isaiah to speak a warning.
Our response: We should daily consider who or what it is that supports us. How much of what we have, or are able to do, is due to our own strength and knowledge? We should remember our Creator, and thank and honor Him for sustaining us, and providing all good things.
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The previous chapter ended with a description of the Lord taking away from Israel all sources of strength and beauty, and the violence that would bring death to most of the men of Israel. Chapter 4 describes the end of that sorrow and the beginning of their salvation. Isaiah proclaims the future exaltation of "the branch", and the reversal of fortune for the survivors left in Zion. Judgement will bring pride and honor, holiness and safety.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves: Our "name" refers to our mark of individuality: our honor, authority or character. When we feel that we've lost our "name", we seek desperately to regain it.
About God: God will provide a "name" that will restore beauty, glory, pride and honor to His creation: The Branch. Taking upon ourselves the name of The Branch means putting ourselves under His authority and protection, which ultimately fulfills our need for honor, authority and character. It is God's honor which honors us.
Our response: We should respond to our inward desire for honor, authority and character by placing our lives (mind, body and soul) into the keeping of our Creator, Who will raise up The Branch to restore us to eternal life in Him.
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Isaiah sings. His beloved had a vineyard, planted with vines, provided with a watchtower. But the vineyard yielded only wild grapes. Now the Beloved takes up the song: Why did my vineyard yield only wild grapes? He plans to destroy his vineyard, trampling the vines, commanding the rain to withhold its rain.
The vineyard is the nation of Israel. God had made the nation his people and he had looked for justice and righteous, but got only bloodshed and outcry. Through Isaiah God pronounces judgement upon his people. Their haughty affluence would become desolate. Their disregard of the LORD will bring them into exile, hunger, thirst and death. God will exalt himself as holy when the land is broken and empty. Those who are wise in their own eyes, those who treasure their lies and wickedness, those who reject the law of the LORD and despise his holiness will be struck by the LORD's anger. Invaders from far away will lay siege and bring dark distress to the land.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves: We all have experienced loving someone who did not appreciate our love. We know the hurt and anger it brings to our heart and mind. Perhaps a lover, or a parent, or a child who rejects what we have been desiring. Perhaps it was ourselves who hurt someone else in the same way. We've all been on both ends of betrayal. None of us are innocent, and none of us can condemn others without condemning ourselves.
About God: God alone has the right to punish betrayal. God alone has the right to express anger against betrayal and sin. God may remove from our lives all that competes for our devotion aside from Him. God allows our love for property, stimulation, power and fame to ruin our lives on earth.
Our response: We should view loss of earthly goods, sickness and death as a reminder of God's worth and our humility. Our place in creation is lower than God. Only in humility and worship of Him will be happy.
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Isaiah describes a vision of the LORD, holy and glorious, and it shook Isaiah to his core with guilt and fear. But the Lord forgave Isaiah's guilt and sin, and Isaiah gladly offered his life as servant to the Lord.
The Lord set Isaiah on a mission to preach a warning of judgement upon the people of Israel. Cities would be ravaged and the land wasted, with only a tenth of the population remaining.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves: We are no different than Isaiah in our sin. Our hearts often dishonor God, and we often reflect our dissatisfaction with him in our words and actions, or lack of actions.
About God: God is superior to us in every way. Brighter, stronger, wiser, more compassionate, more just. God is Creator and King of all life. If he judges us guilty, none can save us from his wrath. If he forgives us, none can persecute us to death.
Our response: We should admit our desperate condition of sinfulness, and plead for his mercy. As Isaiah's sin was atoned for and his guilt taken away, we also have hope of the same.
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Two generations after the downfall of King Uzziah, Jerusalem was attacked by two enemy nations: Syria and Israel. How could Israel have become an enemy of itself, an enemy of Judah's capital city, Jerusalem?
The LORD spoke to the prophet Isaiah, giving him a message for Ahaz, king of Judah: Do not let your heart be faint. The two enemy forces would be shattered within 65 years. The LORD gave to Ahaz a sign of his sovereign power over people and events: a virgin shall conceive and bear a son who shall be named Immanuel, and the king of Assyria will sweep away the nation of Syria and the rebellious state of Israel. The remnant remaining will enjoy abundance and comfort.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The LORD directs Isaiah to seal the documentation concerning the future Assyrian invasion of Israel, again using Isaiah's child as a sign. The LORD compares Assyria to a mighty river flooding all of Israel and Judah, all the land belonging to God's Chosen: Immanuel.
The LORD gave Isaiah a stern warning: do not allow Israel's fear to infect you: "Fear God alone". Isaiah responds in the voice of Immanuel: "I will hope in the LORD". Those who seek the occult forces of necromancery will be thrust into thick darkness.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The LORD compares the Assyrian invasion to a mighty river that will sweep over the land, including Judah. The armies of Syria and Israel will be shattered, bringing their dream of domination to nothing.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah felt pulled into fear. The people he preached to were shaken to the core and their fear was contagious. But the LORD spoke to Isaiah, warning him not to fear as the people feared. But the LORD did not tell Isaiah not to fear at all. Rather, the LORD told Isaiah to fear the LORD only, and that fear would be their only salvation.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah's voice now becomes personal, speaking perhaps for himself, or perhaps as the One chosen by the LORD. The testimony of Isaiah given him by the LORD is to be bound and sealed, kept secure and sacred by disciples of the LORD. Isaiah proclaims himself and his children as signs and portents from the LORD, warning the people to reject mediums and necromancers. Rather, the people are to cling to the word of God alone, else they will perish.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Those without hope in the LORD would suffer the gloom of anguish, but for those once thought contemptible there will be no such gloom. A Child would come from Zebulun Naphtali, a Son Who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
Yet the present circumstances are dire. God's anger brings Assyrians, Syrians and Philistines against Israel. The horrors of war and genocide become terrifying symbols of Israel's moral and spiritual wickedness against the LORD.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Despite the promise of a future Saviour the reality of the moment is that Israel is divided by civil war and foreign intrigue.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah warns of woe to those who oppress and rob the defenseless, the poor and the needy. The invading army of Assyria is God's tool of anger against the people of Israel. Assyria spoils, seizes and tread upon the godless nation of Israel, all according to God's plan.
But the tool itself is in danger of judgement. The king of Assyria is arrogant, boasting of his unconquerable army and limitless power. Assyria goes beyond invasion and control, seeking to destroy utterly all of Israel and the surrounding nations. God allows the tribulation upon Israel at the hands of the Assyrians, but not utter destruction. God will send wasting sickness and burning fire throughout the Assyrian army, halting the invasion in a single day.
Then God's righteous wrath will have come to an end. The surviving remnant of Israel will fully return to faith and fealty to the Lord GOD alone. The hill of Jerusalem will be safe.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
God furiously condemned Assyria's arrogance.
The king of Assyria did not in the least consider God to be his commander. He took to himself the glory and fame of conquest and control.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah describes One Who would judge the world with the power and righteousness of God. This Righteous Judge will stand above all earthly governments and powers, ushering in a time of extraordinary peace and joy. The scattered remnant of the nation of Israel will return from all corners of the world to the land given them by God after their exodus from Egypt.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah referred to fear of the LORD as something admirable. Rather than describing someone running away from something fearful, Isaiah described God's Righteous Judge as having delight in fearing the LORD.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The LORD will make "the root of Jesse", the divinely Righteous Judge of the world, to stand as a signal.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The Lord restores the nation of Israel, bringing back from dispersion, the Israelites scattered by war and exile.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The LORD promised a divine Judge who would end oppression and wickedness on earth. The dispersed tribes of Israel will be regathered and restored to the land around Jerusalem. All nations on earth will turn to Jerusalem in worship of the LORD.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah makes an abrupt change in tone midway through this chapter. Verse one began with "You", translated from a Hebrew word that is singular, suggesting a feeling of isolation. But the subject of verse three is a word that is plural, suggesting fellowship or gathering together. Further supporting the notion of plurality, the song encourages the listeners to "make known his deeds among the peoples...let this be made known in all the earth."
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
To this point Isaiah's visions have concerned Israel, Syria and Assyria, with only slight mention of surrounding people groups. Now, in Chapter 13, Isaiah's perspective shifts to Babylon. What, or who, was Babylon? Babylon was the capitol of a kingdom called the land of Shinar, which was pivotal in world history. The people built "with its top in the heavens" in order to "make a name for ourselves". The LORD halted the people's desire for honor and authority.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah implies that Babylon will be attacked by a nation "from a distant land", with the LORD using another nation as the "weapons of his indignation". The LORD's anger will bring desolation and destruction: The region in which Chesed lived became known as the land of the Chaldees, or Chaldeans. It was located near Abraham's birthplace, Ur, located near the Persian Gulf, near present-day Basra. By the time of Isaiah, the Chaldean dynasty had spread its control northward to include the land of Shinar. The nation of Israel had committed spiritual adultery against God, their Creator and LORD and experienced a repeating cycle of sin, oppression and rescue.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
This chapter contains three separate oracles, or proclamations, concerning three different nations:
Babylon (verses 1-23)
The triumph of the Medes over Babylon would be a critical part of God's plan for Israel. Many Israelites experienced the life of a sojourner, a foreigner in an alien culture, probably fearful of the unknown, expecting hostility, hoping for hospitality. The LORD had moved foreign nations to battle and oppression against Israel, as punishment for Israel's idolatry, wickedness and injustice. But the punishment would end, and Israel would be restored to God's love and to a place of favor. Jews would return to their homeland and be made masters and providers for those who once were enemies. Through Isaiah, the LORD promised that the exile would end, their oppressors would themselves become sojourners among the Israelites.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The broken nations of Syria, Assyria and Babylon would join themselves with Israel, content to be servants. This enslavement will be voluntary, motivated by submission to God:
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Israel's triumph over Babylon brings an opportunity to express superiority in the form of a taunt. A scornful song imagines a scene in Sheol, the place of the dead, where the leaders of nations that had fallen to Babylon take up the taunt. The king of Babylon is described as a rebel against God. Isaiah seems to be making a strong emotional statement, contrasting the height of power and wealth held by the Babylonians with depth of darkness and despair they later experienced when conquered by the Medes.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Israel had been besieged by Babylonia. Jerusalem was sacked and its population killed or exiled to Babylon (Daniel 1). Babylonia itself was then besieged and conquered by the Medes. (Daniel 5:3). The final king of Babylonia, Belshazzar, proclaimed five instances of "I will...":
I will ascend to heaven;
Above the stars of God I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The LORD declares the ultimate end of Babylon.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah speaks to four different groups of people, each group given a different message:
To Israel, a message of compassion and victory
To Babylon, a message of mocking and doom
To Assyria, a message of God's sovereignty
To Philistia, a message of death
Isaiah's burden changes from Babylon to Assyria and Philistia. The LORD is described as having complete, sovereign power over the whole earth: The chapter ends with doom pronounced for Philistia.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The LORD shows Isaiah the future destruction of Moab, and the vision breaks Isaiah's heart.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah continues his lament, describing Moab as a valuable, vigorous animal, soon to be slaughtered. Isaiah was shown a vision of the impending doom and destruction of Moab, a nation close to Israel in many ways: a shared border, a common ancestor, a frequent enemy and a frequent ally.
Now, in the sixteenth chapter, Isaiah continues his prophetic warning against Moab, beginning by urging Israel to be prepared to shelter and comfort the refugees that would be fleeing Moab.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The tone of this chapter suddenly shifts from one of compassion to one of condemnation, as if Israel rejects the notion of caring for the Moabite refugees. The first half of the chapter is an emotional plea for shelter and protection for the Moabite refugees fleeing the ravages of foreign invaders. The second half is a dismissive condemnation of Moab's history of arrogance and superiority.
The world's search for happiness and strength within themselves will fail completely. War will decimate the nations. But the survivors will find hope in a renewed love and dependence upon God Almighty, their Creator. Isaiah warns of coming destruction for all nations involved in the civil war between Israel and Judah. Chief among the allies of Israel was Damascus, capital city of Syria.
Isaiah describes the end of Damascus, capitol city of Syria, Israel's ally and hope of glory in their fight against Judah. God would bring Damascus down because of their idolatry and pride. In this passage the God's sovereign control over all nations may be seen. God can raise entire kingdoms up, and he can bring them utterly low. We could identify ourselves in this passage, people who easily forget the God of our salvation, the Creator and Sustainer of our life. We stand condemned by our sin in the same way as Damascus and Israel, and our only hope lies in the kindness of God.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah greets ambassadors sent by a land "of whirring wings, beyond the rivers of Cush". He urges them to go to a nation "tall and smooth, to a people feared near and far". All the world is called to watch as God destroys the impending threat, clearing the mighty army away as a worker might lop all all the fruit-bearing branches of his vineyard. Then the people "tall and smooth, a people feared near and far" will bring tribute to Mount Zion, rather than swords and spears.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
At this point Isaiah's book may seem confusing. Judah and Israel, as well as Egypt, Cush, Canaan, Syria and Assyria all experienced changing alliances, defeats and victories, conquests and exile. Isaiah was prophet during the reign of many kings, and he was given visions spanning many decades, each with different circumstances and players.
After a brief review of four kings that reigned over Judah during the time of Isaiah, it may be possible to characterize each king:
Uzziah and Jotham: Maintainers of the Status Quo
Isaiah greets ambassadors sent by a land of "whirring wings, beyond the rivers of Cush", probably referring to Ethiopia, south of Egypt. The alliance between Judah, Egypt and Ethiopia was condemned by God. Isaiah foretold that nothing would result except shame and disgrace for Judah.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah tells the ambassadors to look toward the east, to "a people feared near and far, a nation mighty and conquering..."
God inspired Isaiah to urge ambassadors from Cush (Ethiopia) to go to Babylonia, a nation "tall and smooth", a people feared "near and far", a nation "mighty and conquering." They were to tell of God's mighty work in delivering Jerusalem from the Assyrian army.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah issues a harsh word of doom for Egypt. Isaiah declares an oracle ("massa", a heavy burden or a song of doom) concerning Egypt. The LORD would stir up conflict with the nation, confounding their leadership, bringing devestation to Egypt's political, economic and geographic foundations.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
Isaiah repeats the phrase "In that day" six times in this passage, declaring six specific events or conditions that would befall the Egyptians when the LORD brings war to their nation.
In that day the Egyptians will be like women...
In that day there will be five cities...
In that day there will be an altar...
In that day the Egyptians will know...
In that day there will be a highway...
In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria...
Isaiah describes a future condition of Egypt, a time of major loss, violence and confusion, ending in a radical transformation of their religious foundation. Egypt, with Assyria, would worship the God of Israel.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
The LORD commands Isaiah to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a shocking sign against Egypt and Ethiopia.
What does this passage teach us?
About ourselves:
About God:
Our response:
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